East African Campaign

The East African Campaign refers to the battles fought between British Empire and Commonwealth forces and Italy in Italian East Africa during World War II. This campaign is often seen as part of the North African Campaign. The vast majority of the Allied forces were from India, South Africa, Nigeria and Ghana.

Political situation

Italy conquered and occupied Abyssinia in 1936 and eventually created Italian East Africa (in modern-day Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia). Italian troops in Italian East Africa numbered about 250,000, most of them Local East African askaris recruited by the Italian Army.

Related Topics:
Conquered and occupied Abyssinia - 1936 - Italian East Africa - Ethiopia - Eritrea - Somalia - Askari - Italian Army

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When Benito Mussolini joined the war against the Allies in 1940, Italian forces became a potential threat to British supply routes in the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. British Commonwealth troops in Egypt and Sudan were outnumbered by Italian forces in Italian East Africa and Libya. Therefore, the British government recognised Haile Selassie in July 1940 and promised to help him.

Related Topics:
Benito Mussolini - Allies - 1940 - Red Sea - Suez Canal - Egypt - Sudan - Libya - Haile Selassie

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